Athletic nets, athletic performance evaluation systems and methodologies for using the same

ABSTRACT

A system is provided that generates and assigns a composite performance index number for an athlete throwing or hitting a plurality of objects at a net. The system involves a net having a uniform grid, at least one spin rate device embedded within the objects; one or more measurement devices at least one of adjacent to or integrated within the net and positioned to observe the grid; and an evaluation apparatus coupled to the spin rate device and the one or more measurement devices. The evaluation apparatus includes a processor configured to: based at least upon data captured by the one or more measurement devices, determine relative to the grid respective locations where the objects are thrown or hit by the athlete; and generate and assign, based at least upon the determined location, a composite performance index number for the athlete. Associated methods and computer program products are also provided.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims priority to and the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 62/713,024, filed Aug. 1, 2018; the entire contents of which as are hereby incorporated by reference herein.

BACKGROUND Field of Invention

The present disclosure relates to systems and methods for evaluating athletic performance in conjunction with a net and one or more objects typically thrown by athletes toward the net.

Related Art

Athletic performance is subject to strict scrutiny across many sports, leading to the development of various tools to assess and/or track variation and/or improvement made by individuals. For example, baseball and softball require that pitchers throw a ball within a strike zone located above home plate; for optimal performance, though, specific targeting of specific areas within the stroke zone is desirable. Similar goals and expectations exist in other sports, including hockey, soccer, lacrosse, and the like.

Most conventional athletic performance measuring products involve static displays with fixed templates at which to aim. Manual observations may be obtained and recorded. Rarely, though, do conventional products incorporate any form of comprehensive and/or uniform feedback, let alone any tracking and/or comparison-focused data. Thus, a need exists to provide athletes, coaches, recruiters, parents, and others with improved feedback for objective understanding of an athlete's individual performance.

BRIEF SUMMARY

The following and other advantages are provided by the athletic net, athletic performance evaluation systems, and methods of using the same, all as described herein. For example, in certain embodiments, an athletic performance evaluation system is provided that is configured to observe and record velocity, spin rate, and accuracy of an object thrown or hit at a custom athletic net. Interfaced with the system in certain embodiments are one or more components configured to capture and store this data. Interfaced with the system in certain embodiments are executable instructions for guiding a user to throw or hit the object in a specific sequence or manner, thereby providing consistent and objective analysis across multiple users. This consistency also enables efficient and accurate determination of a composite performance rating that possesses objective value across multiple users.

According to one aspect of the present invention, an athletic performance evaluation system is provided. The system comprises a net having a uniform grid, the grid being overlaid with a first box and at least four target zones, each one of the at least four target zones intersecting a respective one of four corners of the first box, a first portion of each one of the at least four target zones being positioned outside the first box, a second portion of each one of the at least four target zones being positioned inside the first box; at least one spin rate device embedded within the objects; one or more measurement devices at least one of adjacent to or integrated within the net and positioned to observe the grid; and an evaluation apparatus coupled to the spin rate device and the one or more measurement devices, the evaluation apparatus having a processor configured to: based at least upon data captured by the one or more measurement devices, determine relative to the grid respective locations where the objects are thrown or hit by the athlete; and generate and assign, based at least upon the determined location, the data captured by the one or more measurement devices, and the at least one spin rate device, a composite performance index number for the athlete.

According to another aspect of the present invention, a method of using an athletic performance evaluation system is provided. The method comprises the steps of: capturing, via one or more measurement devices in communication with a computer processor, velocity, spin rate, and accuracy data for a plurality of objects thrown at a net, a first subset of the plurality of objects having a first type value, a second subset of the plurality of objects having a second type value different than the first type value, the net having a uniform grid, the grid being overlaid with a first box and at least four target zones, each one of the at least four target zones intersecting a respective one of four corners of the first box, a first portion of each one of the at least four target zones being positioned outside the first box, a second portion of each one of the at least four target zones being positioned inside the first box; calculating, via the computer processor, at least four first subset composite weighted average scores for the plurality of objects within the first subset, each one of the four first subset scores corresponding to objects impacting respective ones of each of the at least four target zones, each one of the four first subset scores being combined into a first type index; calculating, via the computer processor, at least four second subset composite weighted average scores for the plurality of objects within the second subset, each one of the four second subset scores corresponding to objects impacting respective ones of each of the at least four target zones, each one of the four second subset scores being combined into a second type index; calculating, via the computer processor, a variance index, the variance index being based upon a determined composite variance in velocity of each object within the first subset relative to a corresponding object within the second subset, further relative to a predetermined variance in velocity; and generating and assigning, via the computer processor, a pitching performance index to the athlete, the pitching performance index being a composite weighted average of the first type index, the second type index, and the variance index.

According to another aspect of the present invention, a computer program product is provided. The computer program product comprises at least one non-transitory computer-readable storage medium having computer-readable program code portions embodied therein, the computer-readable program code portions comprising one or more executable portions configured for: initiating capturing, via one or more measurement devices, velocity, spin rate, and accuracy data for a plurality of objects thrown at a net, a first subset of the plurality of objects having a first type value, a second subset of the plurality of objects having a second type value different than the first type value, the net having a uniform grid, the grid being overlaid with a first box and at least four target zones, each one of the at least four target zones intersecting a respective one of four corners of the first box, a first portion of each one of the at least four target zones being positioned outside the first box, a second portion of each one of the at least four target zones being positioned inside the first box; calculating at least four first subset composite weighted average scores for the plurality of objects within the first subset, each one of the four first subset scores corresponding to objects impacting respective ones of each of the at least four target zones, each one of the four first subset scores being combined into a first type index; calculating at least four second subset composite weighted average scores for the plurality of objects within the second subset, each one of the four second subset scores corresponding to objects impacting respective ones of each of the at least four target zones, each one of the four second subset scores being combined into a second type index; calculating a variance index, the variance index being based upon a determined composite variance in velocity of each object within the first subset relative to a corresponding object within the second subset, further relative to a predetermined variance in velocity; and generating and assigning a pitching performance index to the athlete, the pitching performance index being a composite weighted average of the first type index, the second type index, and the variance index.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS

Having thus described embodiments of the invention in general terms, reference will now be made to the accompanying drawings, which are not necessarily drawn to scale, and wherein:

FIG. 1 illustrates an exemplary athletic performance evaluation system, according to certain embodiments described herein;

FIG. 2 illustrates a block diagram of an athlete evaluation apparatus, according to certain embodiments described herein;

FIG. 3 illustrates a block diagram of athletic net and measurement components that form part of the athlete evaluation apparatus, according to certain embodiments described herein;

FIG. 4 illustrates a first exemplary athletic net, according to certain embodiments described herein;

FIG. 5 illustrates a second exemplary athletic net, according to certain embodiments described herein;

FIG. 6 illustrates generation and storage of first pitch type data in the event database, according to certain embodiments described herein;

FIG. 7 illustrates generation and storage of second pitch type data in the event database, according to certain embodiments described herein;

FIG. 8 illustrates generation and storage of pitch type variance data in the event database, according to certain embodiments described herein;

FIG. 9 illustrates generation and storage of third or custom pitch type data in the event database, along with generation of a composite pitching performance index, according to certain embodiments described herein;

FIG. 10 illustrates steps associated with an exemplary method of using the athlete evaluation apparatus/system, according to certain embodiments described herein; and

FIG. 11 illustrates steps associated with another exemplary method of using the athlete evaluation apparatus/system, according to certain embodiments described herein.

Additional details regarding various features illustrated within the Figures are described in further detail below.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF VARIOUS EMBODIMENTS

Various exemplary embodiments of the present invention will now be described more fully hereinafter with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which some, but not all embodiments of the invention are shown. Indeed, various embodiments of the invention may be embodied in many different forms and should not be construed as limited to the embodiments set forth herein; rather, these embodiments are provided so that this disclosure will satisfy applicable legal requirements. Like reference numerals refer to like elements throughout.

As used herein, the terms “data,” “content,” “information” and similar terms may be used interchangeably to refer to singular or plural data capable of being transmitted, received, displayed and/or stored in accordance with various example embodiments. Thus, use of any such terms should not be taken to limit the spirit and scope of the disclosure.

The term “computer-readable medium” as used herein refers to any medium configured to participate in providing information to a processor, including instructions for execution. Such a medium may take many forms, including, but not limited to a non-transitory computer-readable storage medium (e.g., non-volatile media, volatile media), and transmission media. Transmission media include, for example, coaxial cables, copper wire, fiber optic cables, and carrier waves that travel through space without wires or cables, such as acoustic waves and electromagnetic waves, including radio, optical and infrared waves. Signals include man-made transient variations in amplitude, frequency, phase, polarization or other physical properties transmitted through the transmission media. Examples of non-transitory computer-readable storage media include a magnetic computer readable medium (e.g., a floppy disk, hard disk, magnetic tape, any other magnetic medium), an optical computer readable medium (e.g., a compact disc read only memory (CD-ROM), a digital versatile disc (DVD), a Blu-Ray disc, or the like), a random access memory (RAM), a programmable read only memory (PROM), an erasable programmable read only memory (EPROM), a FLASH-EPROM, or any other non-transitory medium from which a computer can read. The term computer-readable storage medium is used herein to refer to any computer-readable medium except transmission media. However, it will be appreciated that where embodiments are described to use a computer-readable storage medium, other types of computer-readable mediums may be substituted for or used in addition to the computer-readable storage medium in alternative embodiments.

Additionally, as used herein, the term ‘circuitry’ refers to (a) hardware-only circuit implementations (e.g., implementations in analog circuitry and/or digital circuitry); (b) combinations of circuits and computer program product(s) comprising software and/or firmware instructions stored on one or more computer readable memories that work together to cause an apparatus to perform one or more functions described herein; and (c) circuits, such as, for example, a microprocessor(s) or a portion of a microprocessor(s), that require software or firmware for operation even if the software or firmware is not physically present. This definition of ‘circuitry’ applies to all uses of this term herein, including in any claims. As a further example, as used herein, the term ‘circuitry’ also includes an implementation comprising one or more processors and/or portion(s) thereof and accompanying software and/or firmware. As another example, the term ‘circuitry’ as used herein also includes, for example, a baseband integrated circuit or applications processor integrated circuit for a mobile phone or a similar integrated circuit in a server, a cellular network device, other network device, and/or other computing device.

As used herein, where a computing device is described herein to receive data from another computing device, it will be appreciated that the data may be received directly from the another computing device and/or may be received indirectly via one or more intermediary computing devices, such as, for example, one or more servers, relays, routers, network access points, and/or the like. Similarly, where a computing device is described herein to send data to another computing device, it will be appreciated that the data may be sent directly to the another computing device or may be sent to another computing device via one or more interlinking computing devices, such as, for example, one or more servers, relays, routers, network access points, and/or the like.

Additionally, as used herein, although the figures and examples may refer to users such as talent evaluators, scouts, and players, other types of users are contemplated (e.g., coaches, educators, employers, contractors, consultants, etc.). Indeed, example embodiments of the present invention may be used with any type of user.

Exemplary Athletic Performance Evaluation System

FIG. 1 illustrates a system 101 for athletic performance evaluation system according to some example embodiments. It will be appreciated that the system 101 as well as the illustrations in other figures are each provided as an example of an embodiment(s) and should not be construed to narrow the scope or spirit of the disclosure in any way. In this regard, the scope of the disclosure encompasses many potential embodiments in addition to those illustrated and described herein. As such, while FIG. 1 illustrates one example of a configuration of a system for athletic performance rating and assessment, numerous other configurations may also be used to implement embodiments of the present invention.

The system 101 includes an athlete evaluation apparatus 102 that is configured to provide athletic performance rating and assessment to any number of user terminals 110, which may, for example, be embodied as a laptop computer, tablet computer, mobile phone, desktop computer, workstation, or other like computing device. In some embodiments, a user terminal 110 may be remote from the athlete evaluation apparatus 102, in which case the user terminal 110 may communicate with the athlete evaluation apparatus 102 remotely, such as via network 100. Additionally or alternatively, the user terminal 110 may be implemented on the athlete evaluation apparatus 102 or may be directly connected to the athlete evaluation apparatus 102. Event-focused components 120 associated with or otherwise integrated in an athletic net (in part or whole, as described elsewhere herein) are also part of the system 101.

Athlete evaluation apparatus 102 and one or more of the event-focused components 120 are configured to communicate with user terminal 110 via any of a variety of methods dependent upon the configuration of the system 101. For example, in embodiments in which the athlete evaluation apparatus 102 and/or the event-focused components 120 are disposed remotely from the user terminal 110 (as at least one thereof typically will be so positioned), communication via the network 100 may occur by a variety of connections. The network 100 may be embodied in a local area network, the Internet, any other form of a network, or in any combination thereof, including proprietary private and semi-private networks and public networks. The network 100 may comprise a wireline network, wireless network (e.g., a cellular network, wireless local area network, a wireless wide area network, some combination thereof, or the like), or a combination thereof, and in some example embodiments comprises at least a portion of the Internet.

In some example embodiments, the athlete evaluation apparatus 102 may be embodied as one or more computing devices, such as, by way of non-limiting example, one or more servers configured to access the network 100. In some example embodiments, the athlete evaluation apparatus 102 may be implemented as a distributed system or a cloud-based entity that may be implemented within the network 100. In this regard, the athlete evaluation apparatus 102 may comprise one or more servers, a server cluster, one or more network nodes, a cloud computing infrastructure, some combination thereof, or the like. In this regard, the athlete evaluation apparatus 102 may communicate remotely with both the event-focused components 120 and the user terminal 110. The components 120 and the user terminal 110 may also communicate over the network, whether they are remote relative to one another (e.g., following an event conducted under an athlete profile) or positioned in relatively close proximity to one another (e.g., during an ongoing event).

FIG. 2 illustrates the athlete evaluation apparatus 102 in further detail, in accordance with some example embodiments. However, it should be noted that the components, devices, and elements illustrated in and described with respect to FIG. 2 may not be mandatory and, thus, on or more of the components, devices, or elements illustrated may be omitted in certain embodiments. Additionally, some embodiments may include further or different components, devices, or elements beyond those illustrated in and described with respect to FIG. 2.

Continuing with FIG. 2, processing circuitry 210 may be provided that is configured to perform actions in accordance with one or more example embodiments disclosed herein. In this regard, the processing circuitry 210 may be configured to perform and/or control performance of one or more functionalities of the athlete evaluation apparatus 102 in accordance with various example embodiments. The processing circuitry 210 may be configured to perform data processing, application execution, and/or other processing and management services according to one or more example embodiments. In some embodiments, the athlete evaluation apparatus 102 or a portion(s) or component(s) thereof, such as the processing circuitry 210, may be embodied as or comprise a circuit chip. The circuit chip may be configured to perform one or more operations for providing the functionalities described herein.

In some example embodiments, the processing circuitry 210 may include a processor 212 and, in some embodiments such as that illustrated in FIG. 2, may further include memory 214. The processing circuitry 210 may be in communication with or otherwise control any number of components or controllers configured to perform various operations consistent with some embodiments of the present invention. For example, with reference to FIG. 2, the processing circuitry 210 may be in communication with or otherwise control (e.g., via the processor 212) a user interface 216, an event controller 220, profile controller 230, search controller 240, rating controller 250, and/or a communication interface 218. In some embodiments, the processing circuitry 210 may be embodied as a circuit chip (e.g., an integrated circuit chip) configured (e.g., with hardware, software, or a combination of hardware and software) to perform operations described herein. Along these lines, though the illustrated example embodiment of FIG. 2 details a number of different controllers and/or components in communication with or otherwise controlled by the processing circuitry 210, in some embodiments the processing circuitry 210 may be configured to directly control any operation described herein.

The processor 212 may be embodied in a number of different ways. For example, the processor 212 may be embodied as various processing means such as one or more of a microprocessor or other processing element, a coprocessor, a controller, or various other computing or processing devices including integrated circuits such as, for example, an ASIC (application specific integrated circuit), an FPGA (field programmable gate array), or the like. Although illustrated as a single processor, it will be appreciated that the processor 212 may comprise a plurality of processors. The plurality of processors may be in operative communication with each other and may be collectively configured to perform one or more functionalities of the athlete evaluation apparatus 102 as described herein. The plurality of processors may be embodied on a single computing device or distributed across a plurality of computing devices collectively configured to function as the athlete evaluation apparatus 102. In some example embodiments, the processor 212 may be configured to execute instructions stored in the memory 214 or otherwise accessible to the processor 212. As such, whether configured by hardware or by a combination of hardware and software, the processor 212 may represent an entity (e.g., physically embodied in circuitry in the form of processing circuitry 210) capable of performing operations according to embodiments of the present invention while configured accordingly. Thus, for example, when the processor 212 is embodied as an ASIC, FPGA, or the like, the processor 212 may comprise hardware for conducting the operations described herein. Alternatively, as another example, when the processor 212 is embodied as an executor of software instructions, the instructions may specifically configure the processor 212 to perform one or more operations described herein.

In some example embodiments, the memory 214 may include one or more non-transitory memory devices such as, for example, volatile and/or non-volatile memory that may be either fixed or removable. In this regard, the memory 214 may comprise a non-transitory computer-readable storage medium. It will be appreciated that while the memory 214 is illustrated as a single memory, the memory 214 may comprise a plurality of memories. The plurality of memories may be embodied on a single computing device or may be distributed across a plurality of computing devices collectively configured to function as the athlete evaluation apparatus 102. The memory 214 may be configured to store information, data, applications, instructions and/or the like for enabling the athlete evaluation apparatus 102 to carry out various functions in accordance with one or more example embodiments. For example, the memory 214 may be configured to buffer input data for processing by the processor 212. Additionally or alternatively, the memory 214 may be configured to store instructions for execution by the processor 212. As yet another alternative, the memory 214 may include one or more databases that may store a variety of files, contents, or data sets. Among the contents of the memory 214, applications may be stored for execution by the processor 212 to carry out the functionality associated with each respective application. Specifically, the memory 214 may have stored thereon the athlete evaluation application (or “app”) that, upon execution, configures the athlete evaluation apparatus 102 embodied by (in some embodiments), or associated with user terminal 110, to provide the functionality described herein. In some cases, the memory 214 may be in communication with one or more of the processor 212, user interface 216, communication interface 218, event controller 220, profile controller 230, search controller 240, and rating controller 250 for passing information among components of athlete evaluation apparatus 102.

The user interface 216 may be in communication with the processing circuitry 210 to receive an indication of a user input at the user interface 216 and/or to provide an audible, visual, mechanical, or other output to the user. As such, the user interface 216 may include, for example, a keyboard, a mouse, a joystick, a display, a touch screen display, a microphone, a speaker, and/or other input/output mechanisms. As such, the user interface 216 may, in some example embodiments, allow user control of (or at least initiation of) athlete evaluation operations and/or the like. In some example embodiments in which the athlete evaluation apparatus 102 is embodied as a server, cloud computing system, or the like, aspects of the user interface 216 may be limited or the user interface 216 may not be present. In some example embodiments, one or more aspects of the user interface 216 may be implemented on and/or controlled by a user terminal 110. Accordingly, regardless of implementation, the user interface 216 may provide input and output means to facilitate athlete evaluation and/or user (e.g., athlete, coach, parent, or the like) interaction with the system 101 in accordance with one or more example embodiments.

The communication interface 218 may include one or more interface mechanisms for enabling communication with other devices and/or networks. In some cases, the communication interface 218 may be any means such as a device or circuitry embodied in either hardware or a combination of hardware and software that is configured to receive and/or transmit data from/to a network and/or any other device or module in communication with the processing circuitry 210. By way of example, the communication interface 218 may be configured to enable the athlete evaluation apparatus 102 to communicate with the user terminal 110 via the network 100. Accordingly, the communication interface 218 may, for example, include supporting hardware and/or software for enabling communications via cable, digital subscriber line (DSL), universal serial bus (USB), Ethernet, or other methods.

In some example embodiments, the processor 212 (or the processing circuitry 210) may be embodied as, include, or otherwise control an event controller 220, profile controller 230, search controller 240 and/or rating controller 250. As such, the event controller 220, profile controller 230, search controller 240 and/or rating controller 250 may be embodied as various means, such as circuitry, hardware, a computer program product comprising computer readable program instructions stored on a computer readable medium (for example, the memory 214) and executed by a processing device (for example, the processor 212), or some combination thereof. The event controller 220, profile controller 230, search controller 240, and/or rating controller 250 may be implemented on separate apparatuses, the same apparatus, or any combination of apparatuses. The event controller 220, profile controller 230, search controller 240 and/or rating controller 250 may be capable of communication with one or more of the processor 212, memory 214, user interface 216, and communication interface 218 to access, receive, and/or send data as may be needed to perform one or more of the functionalities described herein.

The athlete evaluation apparatus 102 may comprise an event database 222, an athlete profile database 232, and/or an athletic tests database 252. The event database 222 may be configured, in certain embodiments, to store event-specific data, as may be captured and or otherwise recorded (as described elsewhere herein) during the course of an event initiated by a user (i.e., a specific pitching or practice session). The athlete profile database 232 may be configured, in certain embodiments, to store athlete-specific data, as may be captured and/or otherwise recorded during or prior to an event initiated by a user. For example, the athlete profile database may include information including—but not limited to—age of the athlete, height of the athlete, weight of the athlete, pitching arm of the athlete, years of experience held by the athlete, and/or any of a variety of physical characteristic and/or demographic-related data associated with the athlete for which the profile has been created. The athletic tests database 252 may be configured, in certain embodiments, to store standardized athletic tests that may have been completed by other athletes and/or athletes having profiles on the apparatus 102. The athletic tests database 252 may also contain reference data for other athletes having profiles on the apparatus 102, including but not limited to various index scores calculated, generated, and/or otherwise previously publicly distributed and/or stored for those athletes. As described elsewhere herein, this type of data provides normative reference data for determination and calculation of the objective composite index for each new event. Stated otherwise, reference data contained within the apparatus 102 or system 101 serves as an input for new and future algorithmic calculations of indices.

Additionally or alternatively, data described herein as being stored on the event database 222, the applicant profile database 232, and/or the athletic tests database 252 may be stored on the memory 214. The event controller 220 may communicate with the event database 222 to maintain sporting event details. The profile controller 230 may communicate with the athlete profile database 232 to maintain profile related data. The search controller 240 may query the event database 222 and/or the athlete profile database 232 to enable athletic skill evaluating and/or searching functionalities described herein. The rating controller 250 may communicate with the athletic tests database 252 to access standardized athletic tests and/or reference data previously recorded for other athlete profiles having previously used the athlete evaluation apparatus 102. In some example embodiments, such as those in which the athletic evaluation apparatus 102 is implemented as a distributed system, the event database 222, the athlete profile database 232, and/or athletic tests database 252 (e.g., containing reference data, as described elsewhere herein) may be remote from other components of the athletic evaluation apparatus 102, and may be accessed by event controller 220, the profile controller 230, rating controller 250, respectively, via the communication interface 218.

Turning now to FIG. 3 an exemplary layout of event-focused components 120, according to certain embodiments described herein. As illustrated, components 120 may comprise a user position marker 300, an athletic net 310, one or more measurement devices 360 positioned between the user position marker 300, and one or more measurement devices 380 positioned behind (or integrated within) the athletic net 310, relative to the user position marker 300. In at least one embodiment, the user position marker 300 is analogous to a pitchers' mound, as such is generally known and understood. In other embodiments, the user position marker 300 may be any location deemed appropriate relative to a particular sport (e.g., hockey, lacrosse, soccer, or the like), from which athletic performance and accuracy (i.e., of hitting the athletic net) for an athlete may be objectively and repeatedly calculated with inherent value/insight.

As mentioned, one or more measurement devices 360, 380 may be provided, in front of, integrated within, and/or behind the athletic net 310. In certain embodiments multiple measurement devices in multiple of these locations may be utilized; in other embodiments, additional or alternative measurement devices may be used, for example beside the athletic net or the like. The measurement devices 360, 380 may include the non-limiting examples of radar devices, cameras, laser generation devices, one or more cameras (still-frame or video-based), spin rate devices, motion or impact sensors, or the like. In certain embodiments, one or more of the measurement devices may also be embedded within an object (e.g., a ball) thrown by the user. For example, the spin rate device may be embedded in the ball thrown in at least one embodiment; in other embodiments, spin rate detection devices may be otherwise provided.

For those measurement devices 360, 380 provided, some may be configured to capture, measure, and/or otherwise record velocity data associated with an object (e.g., a ball) moving from the user position marker 300 to the athletic net 310 or target. Others of the measurement devices 360, 380 may be configured to capture, measure, and/or otherwise record motion or impact of the object (e.g., a ball) with the athletic net 310 or target. In one exemplary embodiment, a plurality of sensors may be embedded across the athletic net 310 or target, so as to provide discrete impact measurements indicative of a location at which the object hits the athletic net 310 or target. In these and other embodiments, each of the plurality of sensors may be spaced a predetermined distance relative to one another and/or be configured to identify a discrete location coordinate on the net or target. In still other embodiments, the athletic net 310 or target may be designated with a discrete location coordinate, with each sensor or measurement device 360, 380 associated therewith and/or integrated/embedded thereon being mapped based thereon. Indeed, a variety of location coordinate identifying methods and measurement devices 360, 380 may be utilized in conjunction with the embodiments of the system 101 described herein.

FIG. 4 illustrates a first exemplary athletic net 310 a or target, according to certain embodiments of the system 101 described herein. Although not a required dimension, exemplary dimensions of the athletic net 310 a or target are seven feet high by seven feet wide, with one-inch square holes across the entirety (or substantial entirety) of the net or target. Of course, otherwise sized, shaped or configured nets—or grids upon nets—may be provided, without departing from the scope of the embodiments described herein. Alternative dimensions may be two-inch holes across only a specific (e.g., central) portion of the net 310 a or target. Still other dimensions may be provided, as desirable for particular applications, dependent—for example—upon size and/or shape of objects expected to impact the net or target.

Evident from FIG. 4 are a set of rectangular and square boxes. The first two are an inner zone box 313 and a pair of outer zone boxes 311. An intermediate zone 312 is also provided, intermediate four colored target zones 320, 322, 324, 326 and the outer zone box 311. As FIG. 4 also illustrates, a center of the inner zone box 313 (e.g., the strike zone for baseball) is aligned with a center of a base target 330 (e.g., home plate). Exemplary net 310 a or target is configured for use with an object 340 having dimensions as illustrated (e.g., a standard-sized baseball). The dimensions of the object inform the sizing of the four colored zones, the inner zone, and the outer zone boxes specifically, the larger the object, the larger these zones become, as may be understood by reference to FIGS. 4-5 relative to one another.

Returning to FIG. 4 specifically, the four colored zones 320, 322, 324, 326 designed optimal impact zones to compete athletically against an individual at or protecting the athletic net 310 a or target, whether that is a batter, a goal tender, or the like. The margin of each of the four colored zones 320, 322, 324, 326 around the inner zone box 312 is equal to a diameter or size of the object impacting the athletic net 310 a or target. In the illustrated example, the margin is equal to the diameter of a standard-sized baseball. Thus, if the object or baseball hits the net or target within any of the four colored zones 320, 322, 324, 326, a portion of the object is adjacent to or on the perimeter of the inner zone box 313. Stated otherwise, the baseball is at the edge of (whether inside or outside of) the perimeter of the strike zone. This is the optimal impact zone for competing against a batter or the like.

The intermediate zone 312, remaining with FIG. 4, thus represents a slightly less than optimal zone for competing against a batter or the like; scoring for impact in this zone—as will be described elsewhere herein—may be less favorable than scoring within any of the four colored zones 320, 322, 324, 326 Similarly, impact on or beyond the outer zone box 311 results in even less favorable scoring; in one embodiment, no score may be awarded for impact beyond the outer zone box; in still other embodiments deductive points may be tallied, dependent upon how far beyond impact occurs.

As a non-limiting example, scoring for impact within the intermediate zone 312 may be assigned a point value less than impact within the colored target zones 320, 322, 324, 326, with impact beyond the outer boxes 311 having a point value less than impact in the intermediate zone. Points values may also be assigned incrementally within each respective zone, dependent upon how near (or far) impact occurs relative to another zone or box. For example, impact within zone 320 may be awarded 2 points, while impact within the intermediate zone 312 is awarded 1 point and impact on or beyond the outer box 311 is awarded 0 points. Negative points may also be assigned for grid sections beyond the outer box 311, much like points greater than 2 points may be assigned for impact within zone 320 that also intersects the inner box 313. A variety of point awarding systems may be utilized and/or mapped/assigned to locations on the grid of the athletic net.

FIG. 5 illustrates a second exemplary athletic net 310 b or target, according to certain embodiments of the system 101 described herein. In a general sense, each of the components of athletic net 310 b or target are substantially the same as those associated with athletic net 310 a, described elsewhere herein. The primary difference lies in the configuration of athletic net 310 b for use with an object 350 larger than the object 340 used with net 310 a. For example, net 310 b is configured for use with a standard-sized softball, as compared to net 310 a, configured for use with a standard-sized baseball. As a result, the sizing of the four colored zones 320, 322, 324, 326 on net 310 b is larger than those on net 310 a. The sizing of the inner zone box 313 may also be adjusted, corresponding to a softball-based strike zone versus that used for baseball. For example, the top of the inner zone box 313 in athletic net 310 a may be 42.5″ above the target object 330; the same location in athletic net 310 b may be 40″ above the target object 330. Additional deviations may also exist, accounting for—as non-limiting examples—differing average heights of batters being targeted with the respective strike zones or otherwise.

It should thus be understood that the athletic nets 310 or targets described herein are mere specific examples. More generally, the nets or targets may be provided with four distinct optimal zones, intermediate an inner zone and an outer zone, respectively. In this manner, users of the system 101 described herein may be gauged from a performance perspective (and trained for future performance) to achieve impact within the four distinct optimal zones. It should also be understood that any of the zones described herein need not be colored or non-colored; indeed, any of a variety of different annotations may be utilized provided the zones are visibly distinct relative to one another for users of the system. Still further, although FIGS. 4-5 illustrate respective rectangular and/or square-shaped zones, it should also be understood that the zones may be otherwise (e.g., circular or oval or triangular or the like) shaped, if desirable.

FIGS. 6-9 illustrate exemplary contents within an event database 222, as driven by the event controller 220, the search controller 240, and/or the rating controller 250 of the athlete evaluation apparatus 102 (see FIG. 2), all as driven by the integrated processing circuitry 210 interaction(s) with a user interface/terminal 110 and/or event-focused components 120, as both have been previously described herein. It should be understood, as an event is conducted—as will be described elsewhere herein relative to the “exemplary method of use”—data may be populated within the tables (i.e., columns and rows) within the event database 222.

FIG. 6 in particular illustrates a set of assessment tables 410 for a first type of pitch (e.g., a fastball) that a user may be prompted to throw at the athletic net 310. As a non-limiting example, as will be described elsewhere herein, four pitches (or more or less than four pitches) may be thrown at each of the optimal zones (e.g., green, yellow, blue, purple), with the measurement devices 360, 380 being configured to capture (and transmit for recordation) velocity, spin rate, and accuracy-related data for each zone (i.e., distinct zone data tables 420). More or less data may be recorded for each pitch, as may be desirable. Scores (net, cumulative, total zone score 430, and/or an index-based score 430 representing a score across all zones for a particular type of throw/pitch) may also be recorded in the assessment tables. It should be understood that one or certain portions of the data contained in the assessment tables may be entered manually, as necessary. According to certain embodiments described herein, though, certain or all portions of the data may be entered automatically, via communication between one or more components of the system 101.

FIG. 7 illustrates another set of assessment tables 510 for a second type of pitch (e.g., a change-up) that a user may be prompted to throw at the athletic net 310. The tables of FIG. 7 are configured substantially the same as those tables 410, with distinct zone data tables 520, net scores, cumulative or total zone scores 530, and an index-based score 540.

FIG. 8 illustrates another set of assessment tables 610, whereby data for both the first and second types of pitches (e.g., fastball and change-up, although other types of pitches and/or other types of projectiles may be thrown or driven at the athletic net, as described elsewhere herein) may be analyzed (and recorded) for determination of one or more variances between characteristics of the types. For example, variances in accuracies, spin rate, and/or velocity may be compared, relative both to one another and to standard deviation or variance sport-wide (e.g., 7.5% ideal velocity variance for softball; 15% for baseball). Net scores for each distinct zone data table 620 may be determined and recorded, along with total scores 630 and a composite variance index 640.

FIG. 9 illustrates yet another set of assessment tables 710, utilized when a user may optionally decide to throw a third type of pitch (e.g., a curveball or the like) at the athletic net 310. The tables of FIG. 9 are configured substantially the same as those tables 410, 510, with distinct zone data tables 720, net scores, cumulative or total zone scores 730, and an index-based score 740. FIG. 9 also illustrates a pitching performance index 750 (or pitching index number (PIN), as referred to interchangeably elsewhere herein), which index value may be calculated and recorded as also described elsewhere herein.

Although FIGS. 6-9 depict separate sets of assessment tables, it should be understood that all data captured and recorded via the system 101 described herein may be stored and/or recorded in formats other than those depicted, provided net, total, and index scores are further calculated/derived, recorded, and displayed/transmitted to the user interface/terminal, as described elsewhere herein.

Exemplary Methods of Using the Athletic Performance Evaluation System

FIG. 10 an exemplary method of using the athletic performance evaluation system 101 described herein to generate a composite pitching performance index 750 (or PIN). The PIN is a composite and objectively calculated and generated value, based not only upon data recorded and compiled related to a specific sequence and series of objects (e.g., balls) thrown or hit by a user against an athletic net 310 or target, but also data recorded and compiled regarding the user, comparable other users of the system, and/or data from other systems recorded and compiled regarding the user and/or other comparable users (i.e., reference data, as described elsewhere herein). Stated otherwise, the objective (versus subjective) composite pitching performance index (or PIN) is determined for a user during an event initiated and conducted with the system 101 described here based upon a combination of data and a weighted average formula applied consistently across multiple users for which analogous data is known and also compiled. In this manner, a meaningful, objective rating of performance of an athlete is obtainable, without any skewing thereof by subjective or non-analogous data.

Remaining with FIG. 10, as a first step illustrated therein user profile data is captured and/or retrieved in Step 810, to initiate a new event (see also FIG. 2 executable processor and related modules and databases). In certain instances, as a non-limiting example, the user initiating a new event may be a new user of the system 101, in which case profile data—including pertinent user physical and demographic characteristics (as described elsewhere herein)—is collected. Where the user initiating a new event is a prior user of the system, Step 810 of FIG. 10 may be a simple login/accessing of the user's account and/or account information within the system.

Upon completion of Step 810, the system 101—through the evaluation apparatus 102, the user terminal 110 or otherwise (e.g., via an audio interface or the like, positioned adjacent the athletic net 310 or nearby the same)—is configured according to certain embodiments to proceed to Step 811, whereby a first sequence of events (i.e., Pitch Type #1) is initiated. In certain embodiments, the system may instruct the user when to proceed with the first sequence of events and thereafter simply record pertinent data, as described elsewhere herein. In other embodiments, the system may also instruct the user when and how to proceed with each step of the first sequence of events. Reference also to FIG. 6 is informative in this respect.

Specifically, with reference to both FIGS. 6 and 10, it may be understood that during Step 811, a user of the system may be prompted to hit or throw an object at the athletic net 310 or target—and even at particular areas of the athletic net or target in a particular sequence. Remaining with FIG. 6, the user may be instructed to first target the green zone (see also FIG. 4, zone 320). Upon completion of four pitches or hits targeting the green zone, the user may be instructed to next target the yellow zone (see zone 322, FIG. 4, as a non-limiting example). The sub-steps of Step 811 continue further in certain embodiments, next targeting four pitches or hits to the blue zone 324, followed by four pitches or hits to the purple zone 326.

For each pitch or hit during Step 811, velocity, spin rate, and accuracy (i.e., impact location) data is captured and recorded. As mentioned elsewhere herein, more than four pitches or hits may occur for each zone (i.e., green, yellow, blue, purple) and/or additional zones may exist for discrete targeting via system prompts or instructions; those detailed herein, however, provide a desired degree of data and repeatability to support determination of an objective and accurate PIN for the athlete being observed. It should also be understood that a different sequence of target zones may also be selected, if desirable; for example, instead of proceeding with green, yellow, blue, and purple (in that sequence), certain embodiments may proceed with purple, blue, yellow, and green—or even otherwise. Consistency across multiple events and multiple users of the system, however, is preferred.

Returning now to FIG. 10, upon completion of Step 811, the system 101 may proceed in certain embodiments to Step 814, initiating, prompting, and/or recording data associated with a second type of pitch or hit of an object. In this sequence, the system 101 may be optimally configured to defer all score calculation pending completion of at least two types of pitch or hit data/sequences. In another sequence, though, as also illustrated in FIG. 10, the system 101 may—prior to Step 814—proceed to Steps 812-813. During Step 813, scores associated with the first type of pitch/hit data are calculated, informed not only by the velocity, spin rate, and accuracy data captured automatically during Step 811, but also by reference data retrieved within the system during Step 812. As described elsewhere herein, this reference data may include not only physical and/or demographic data related to the athlete being assessed or evaluated, but also baseline or analogous data related to other similarly positioned athletes also using the system for assessments and/or evaluations.

Generally speaking, each pitch, throw, kick, or hit of an object toward and into the athletic net will be evaluated and assessed based upon a combination of object-focused parameters and user-focused parameters. The object-focused parameters, as detailed elsewhere herein, include velocity, spin rate (i.e., rotations per second for softball, rotations per minute for baseball), accuracy, and the like. The velocity may be measured with a radar device; the spin rate via a spin rate device, which may be embedded within the object. Accuracy is based upon impact with the athletic net or target and may be measured manually (e.g., with a certified staff standing behind the net and noting the exact spot the ball hit on the net), automatically (e.g., via a combination of sensor and measurement device data capturing impact of the object with the net), and/or via a combination of manual and automated entry. The results of each pitch (e.g., the four pitches of type #1 during Step 811) are, in Step 813, assessed and assigned a calculated weighted average “net score,” determined based upon a weighted average formula that accounts for the object-focused parameters captured and the user-focused parameters—including not only the user involved in the present event, but also those previously or elsewhere using the system or similarly configured systems (e.g., reference data).

Upon completion of either Step 811 or Step 813, Step 814 commences according to certain embodiments, wherein data associated with a sequence of pitches (or hits or the like) of a type different than that present in Step 811 is captured. As a non-limiting example, the pitches in Step 814 may be change-ups, as compared to the fastball pitches of Step 811. Still further, to initiate Step 814, the system is configured to prompt the user (as in Step 811) to perform a sequence of throws or pitches at specific areas of the athletic net, optionally also in a particular sequence of areas of the athletic net.

With reference to FIG. 7, the user may be instructed to first target the green zone (see also FIG. 4, zone 320). Upon completion of four pitches or hits targeting the green zone, the user may be instructed to next target the yellow zone (see zone 322, FIG. 4, as a non-limiting example). The sub-steps of Step 814 continue further in certain embodiments, next targeting four pitches or hits to the blue zone 324, followed by four pitches or hits to the purple zone 326.

For each pitch or hit during Step 814, velocity, spin rate, and accuracy (i.e., impact location) data is captured and recorded. As mentioned elsewhere herein, more than four pitches or hits may occur for each zone (i.e., green, yellow, blue, purple) and/or additional zones may exist for discrete targeting via system prompts or instructions; those detailed herein, however, provide a desired degree of data and repeatability to support determination of an objective and accurate PIN for the athlete being observed. It should also be understood that a different sequence of target zones may also be selected, if desirable; for example, instead of proceeding with green, yellow, blue, and purple (in that sequence), certain embodiments may proceed with purple, blue, yellow, and green—or even otherwise. Consistency across multiple events and multiple users of the system, however, is preferred.

Returning now to FIG. 10, upon completion of Step 814, the system 101 may proceed in certain embodiments to Step 816, initiating, prompting, and/or recording data associated with a third type of pitch or hit of an object, if the user opts to proceed further with such a sequence (see FIG. 11). In this sequence, the system 101 may be optimally configured to defer all score calculation pending completion of at least three types of pitch or hit data/sequences. In another sequence, though, as also illustrated in FIG. 10, the system 101 may proceed to Steps 815 and 812. During Step 815, scores associated with the first type of pitch/hit data are calculated, informed not only by the velocity, spin rate, and accuracy data captured automatically during Step 814, but also by reference data retrieved within the system during Step 812. As described elsewhere herein, this reference data may include not only physical and/or demographic data related to the athlete being assessed or evaluated, but also baseline or analogous data related to other similarly positioned athletes also using the system for assessments and/or evaluations.

Generally speaking, each pitch, throw, kick, or hit of an object toward and into the athletic net will be evaluated and assessed based upon a combination of object-focused parameters and user-focused parameters. The object-focused parameters, as detailed elsewhere herein, include velocity, spin rate (i.e., rotations per second for softball, rotations per minute for baseball), accuracy, and the like. The velocity may be measured with a radar device; the spin rate via a spin rate device, which may be embedded within the object. Accuracy is based upon impact with the athletic net or target and may be measured manually (e.g., with a certified staff standing behind the net and noting the exact spot the ball hit on the net), automatically (e.g., via a combination of sensor and measurement device data capturing impact of the object with the net), and/or via a combination of manual and automated entry. The results of each pitch (e.g., the four pitches of type #1 during Step 814) are, in Step 815, assessed and assigned a calculated weighted average “net score,” determined based upon a weighted average formula that accounts for the object-focused parameters captured and the user-focused parameters—including not only the user involved in the present event, but also those previously or elsewhere using the system or similarly configured systems (e.g., reference data).

The system 101 is thus configured in certain embodiments to proceed from Step 815 to Step 817, whereby type variance scores are calculated. Reference also to FIG. 8 is informative, wherefrom it may be understood that the variance scores assess the average variance of the type #1 to type #2 velocity on all pitches or throws. Of course, variances of other parameters may also be assessed and/or evaluated in this step. Notably, though, velocity variance is important for at least baseball and softball applications, where ideal variances exist-7.5% for softball and 15% for baseball. Calculated scores (see again FIG. 8) thus depend upon how closely the calculated variances of the pitches thrown correlate to the pre-determined/pre-established “ideal variances” for a particular sport/athlete under assessment. In at least one embodiment, the close to the ideal, the better/higher the rating or “net score” for each pitch. The four weighted scores for each of the four pitch zones also get four consolidated weighted total scores, the latter of which as are further combined into a weighted overall average for that pitch, identified as the variance index 640. These calculations all occur during Step 817.

Returning to FIG. 10, the system 101 according to various embodiments, upon completion of Step 817, proceeds to Step 818, wherein all three consolidated indices (i.e., the Type #1 (fastball) Index 440, the Type #2 (change-up) Index 540, and the Variance Index 640)—each of which represent distinct weighted overall average scores, influenced by objective data measured balanced with user-focused parameters (e.g., age, height, or the like of the user)) are combined as inputs to an algorithm to generate a single pitching performance index 750 (or PIN). In this manner, a single rating is assigned to the user profile based upon a plurality of pitches (at least 32 in the non-limiting example provided), wherein the PIN is calculated and determined based upon an iterative combining and weighted averaging of multiple distinct scores.

Referencing now FIG. 11, as mentioned previously herein, a user may opt to conduct a third sequence of hits or pitches (see Step 816), if so desired. According to various embodiments, data associated with the conducted hits or pitches may be captured in substantially the same manner detailed previously herein, during Step 821, whereby a particular sequence of hits or pitches, further targeting a specific sequence of locations on the athletic net or target, may occur. Type #3 scores are then calculated in Step 822, informed by reference data from Step 812, much like the score calculations in Steps 813 and 815.

Distinct from the calculations conducted on Type #1 and Type #2 pitches or hits, in Step 823, variance scores are calculated relative to Type #3 data captured. The variance scores—and the Type #3 scores—are only injected into the final pitching performance index 750 (PIN) score if the resulting score is improved with the additional data content. Stated otherwise, no user will be assigned a lower score due to their opting to conduct an additional, optional sequence (see Step 825, reverting the procedure to Step 818). Discouragement of users opting for additional training and assessment is undesirable. On the other hand, where variance scores and/or pitching performance index 750 (PIN) scores are improved by nature of combining the Type #3 data with the Type #1-#2 data, the Type #3 weighted average scores for each pitch and for each pitch zone are also injected—in certain embodiments—as inputs to the algorithm configured to generate the pitching performance index 750 score/value (see Step 824).

Returning once more to FIG. 10, as illustrated therein, upon completion of Step 818 (or optionally at other points in the sequence), the system 101 according to various embodiments may be configured to proceed to Step 819 and generate and/or distribute one or more reports and/or compilations of the indices (e.g., the pitching performance index) generated through use of the system 101. As a non-limiting example, a leaderboard may be compiled and generated, using the pitching performance indices of multiple uses of the system 101. Alternatively or additionally, certain users of the system (e.g., coaches) may receive and/or generate customized reports, whereby results for a single athlete, multiple athletes, and/or teams may be manipulated according to various metrics or the like. As non-limiting examples, metrics may be generated to graphically or tabularly display a certain athlete's improvement over time, whether tracked relative to one or more goals or independently or otherwise. Data beyond the indices and/or metrics may also be analyzed and/or provided via the reports of Step 819. As another non-limiting example, users of the system may be able to review and custom manipulate video recordings taken of an athlete during a defined event or session with the system. In this manner, additional or alternative areas for improvement may be identified and/or also tracked and manipulated.

Of course, additional or alternative methods of using the system 101 described herein may also be envisioned, without departing the scope and nature of the invention described herein. For example, more or less than four pitches may be instructed, initiated, or otherwise guided. Sequences may also be directed toward more or less than four optimal zones; also, zones or pitches may be repeated if desirable. Nevertheless, iteratively weighted and combined scores will be involved, so as to arrive at a single objective pitching performance index overarching a plurality of pitches, pitch types, and pitch zones under evaluation for any particular user of the system.

Relative to FIGS. 10-11 and the calculations conducted therein relative to the recited steps, it should be evident that those skilled in the art would readily recognize that various algorithms could be utilized, in particular for calculating and/or combining the respective indices. Exemplary and non-limiting algorithmic-based calculations have thus been referenced and described herein; where appropriate it should be understood, though, that portions thereof may be varied with a certain degree of reasonable flexibility, without departing from the scope and nature of the configurations and embodiments described herein. Indeed, standard scoring may be used to normalize the data captured during the evaluation period to calculate the athlete's pitching performance index. This method creates dimensionless and unitless quantities that can be used to assess an athlete's deviation from the overall average and/or median scores of the evaluated population.

The standard scores for each scored area are then compiled into a single Composite Score for each attempt. For the fastball pitch-type, this Composite Score is averaged across all pitch zones to calculate the athlete's overall performance. For subsequent pitch-types, such as changeup, curveball, etc., the athlete's performance is calculated based on the deviation from the athlete's fastball scores. The expected deviation and accuracy of a changeup, curveball, and other off-speed pitches determines the effectiveness of these pitches. As a result, the deviation calculated for these pitches will be combined with the athlete's fastball Composite Score and will either function as an increasing or decreasing factor in the overall pitching performance index.

CONCLUSION

Many modifications and other embodiments of the inventions set forth herein will come to mind to one skilled in the art to which these inventions pertain having the benefit of the teachings presented in the foregoing descriptions and the associated drawings. Therefore, it is to be understood that the inventions are not to be limited to the specific embodiments disclosed and that modifications and other embodiments are intended to be included within the scope of the appended claims. Moreover, although the foregoing descriptions and the associated drawings describe example embodiments in the context of certain example combinations of elements and/or functions, it should be appreciated that different combinations of elements and/or functions may be provided by alternative embodiments without departing from the scope of the appended claims. In this regard, for example, different combinations of elements and/or functions than those explicitly described above are also contemplated as may be set forth in some of the appended claims. Although specific terms are employed herein, they are used in a generic and descriptive sense only and not for purposes of limitation. 

What is claimed:
 1. A system for determining and assigning a composite performance index number for an athlete throwing or hitting a plurality of objects at a net, the system comprising: a net having a uniform grid, the grid being overlaid with a first box and at least four target zones, each one of the at least four target zones intersecting a respective one of four corners of the first box, a first portion of each one of the at least four target zones being positioned outside the first box, a second portion of each one of the at least four target zones being positioned inside the first box; at least one spin rate device embedded within the objects; one or more measurement devices at least one of adjacent to or integrated within the net and positioned to observe the grid; and an evaluation apparatus coupled to the spin rate device and the one or more measurement devices, the evaluation apparatus having a processor configured to: based at least upon data captured by the one or more measurement devices, determine relative to the grid respective locations where the objects are thrown or hit by the athlete; and generate and assign, based at least upon the determined location, the data captured by the one or more measurement devices, and the at least one spin rate device, a composite performance index number for the athlete.
 2. The system of claim 1, further comprising a pair of second boxes each one of the second boxes in the pair having two of the four target zones positioned therein, wherein a center of the first box is positioned outside both second boxes of the pair of second boxes.
 3. The system of claim 2, wherein a first intersection of two of the four target zones is aligned with a first midpoint of a first of the pair of second boxes and a second intersection of another two of the four target zones is aligned with a second midpoint of a second of the pair of second boxes, wherein the first and second midpoints lie along a single axis.
 4. The system of claim 2, wherein the first portion of each one of the at least four target zones extends outside the first box a width of the object being thrown or hit at the net, the second portion of each one of the at least four target zones extends inside the first box the object width, such that an intermediate zone is defined between each of the at least four target zones and the pair of second boxes.
 5. The system of claim 1, wherein the first box defines a strike zone.
 6. The system of claim 1, wherein at least one of the one or more measurement devices is a radar device configured to measure at least one of a velocity of the object or a location of impact of the object with the net.
 7. The system of claim 1, wherein at least one of the one or more measurement devices is a motion or impact sensor configured to measure at least a location of impact of the object with the net.
 8. The system of claim 1, wherein the processor is further configured to generate a first composite score for a first subset of objects thrown or hit at the net, a second composite score for a second subset of objects thrown or hit at the net, and a variance score for the first and second subsets of objects thrown or hit at the net.
 9. The system of claim 8, wherein the first and second composite scores and the variance score are weighted average scores based upon the data captured by the one or more measurement devices and reference data associated with at least one of the athlete or one or more athletes other than the athlete under evaluation, wherein the first and second composite scores and the variance score provide inputs for the generation of the composite performance index number.
 10. A method for determining a composite performance index number for an athlete throwing or hitting objects, the method comprising the steps of: capturing, via one or more measurement devices in communication with a computer processor, velocity, spin rate, and accuracy data for a plurality of objects thrown at a net, a first subset of the plurality of objects having a first type value, a second subset of the plurality of objects having a second type value different than the first type value, the net having a uniform grid, the grid being overlaid with a first box and at least four target zones, each one of the at least four target zones intersecting a respective one of four corners of the first box, a first portion of each one of the at least four target zones being positioned outside the first box, a second portion of each one of the at least four target zones being positioned inside the first box; calculating, via the computer processor, at least four first subset composite weighted average scores for the plurality of objects within the first subset, each one of the four first subset scores corresponding to objects impacting respective ones of each of the at least four target zones, each one of the four first subset scores being combined into a first type index; calculating, via the computer processor, at least four second subset composite weighted average scores for the plurality of objects within the second subset, each one of the four second subset scores corresponding to objects impacting respective ones of each of the at least four target zones, each one of the four second subset scores being combined into a second type index; calculating, via the computer processor, a variance index, the variance index being based upon a determined composite variance in velocity of each object within the first subset relative to a corresponding object within the second subset, further relative to a predetermined variance in velocity; and generating and assigning, via the computer processor, a pitching performance index to the athlete, the pitching performance index being a composite weighted average of the first type index, the second type index, and the variance index.
 11. The method of claim 10, wherein one or more of the first type index, the second type index, the variance index, and the pitching performance index are based further upon reference data associated with one or more athletes other than the athlete under evaluation.
 12. The method of claim 10, wherein the capturing step involves the sub-steps of: instructing the athlete to throw or hit at least four objects at a first of the four target zones in two distinct types of throws or hits; instructing the athlete to throw or hit at least four objects at a second of the four target zones in two distinct types of throws or hits; instructing the athlete to throw or hit at least four objects at a third of the four target zones in two distinct types of throws or hits; and instructing the athlete to throw or hit at least four objects at a fourth of the four target zones in two distinct types of throws or hits.
 13. The method of claim 12, wherein the first type index and the second type index are calculated based upon, at least in part, a determined accuracy of the two distinct types of throw or hits across the first, second, third, and fourth target zone as compared to the instructions provided to the athlete.
 14. The method of claim 13, further comprising assigning a score to each throw or hit based upon the determined accuracy,
 15. The method of claim 13, wherein a first score is assigned for each throw or hit that impacts the net within the instructed target zone of the at least four target zones and a second score is assigned for each throw or hit that fails to impact the net within the instructed target zone, the second score being less than the first score.
 16. The method of claim 10, wherein the grid further comprises a pair of second boxes each one of the second boxes in the pair having two of the four target zones positioned therein, wherein a center of the first box is positioned outside both second boxes of the pair of second boxes and a deduction is imposed for each throw or hit that impacts the net beyond either of the pair of second boxes.
 17. The method of claim 11, wherein the capturing step further involves the sub-steps of: instructing the athlete to throw or hit at least four objects at a first of the four target zones in a third distinct type of throws or hits; instructing the athlete to throw or hit at least four objects at a second of the four target zones in a third distinct type of throws or hits; instructing the athlete to throw or hit at least four objects at a third of the four target zones in a third distinct type of throws or hits; and instructing the athlete to throw or hit at least four objects at a fourth of the four target zones in a third distinct type of throws or hits.
 18. The method of claim 17, wherein a third type index is calculated based upon, at least in part, a determined accuracy of the third distinct type of throw or hits across the first, second, third, and fourth target zone as compared to the instructions provided to the athlete; and wherein the variance index is calculated based further upon the third type index.
 19. The method of claim 18, wherein the pitching performance index is a composite weighted average of the first type index, the second type index, the third type index, and the variance index when the third type index improves a value of the variance index otherwise calculated based upon only the first and second type indexes.
 20. A computer program product comprising at least one non-transitory computer-readable storage medium having computer-readable program code portions embodied therein, the computer-readable program code portions comprising one or more executable portions configured for: initiating capturing, via one or more measurement devices, velocity, spin rate, and accuracy data for a plurality of objects thrown at a net, a first subset of the plurality of objects having a first type value, a second subset of the plurality of objects having a second type value different than the first type value, the net having a uniform grid, the grid being overlaid with a first box and at least four target zones, each one of the at least four target zones intersecting a respective one of four corners of the first box, a first portion of each one of the at least four target zones being positioned outside the first box, a second portion of each one of the at least four target zones being positioned inside the first box; calculating at least four first subset composite weighted average scores for the plurality of objects within the first subset, each one of the four first subset scores corresponding to objects impacting respective ones of each of the at least four target zones, each one of the four first subset scores being combined into a first type index; calculating at least four second subset composite weighted average scores for the plurality of objects within the second subset, each one of the four second subset scores corresponding to objects impacting respective ones of each of the at least four target zones, each one of the four second subset scores being combined into a second type index; calculating a variance index, the variance index being based upon a determined composite variance in velocity of each object within the first subset relative to a corresponding object within the second subset, further relative to a predetermined variance in velocity; and generating and assigning a pitching performance index to the athlete, the pitching performance index being a composite weighted average of the first type index, the second type index, and the variance index. 